Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Bags are packed, the to-do list is done, and this family is ready to GO!



~Don't worry, a couple of these are donations and gifts ;)

This time tomorrow we should be boarding the plane that will take us to China! Here's our itinerary:

Saturday 6-30: Flight to China (Korean Air leaves Atlanta at 12:30am)
Monday 7-1: Arrive in Zhengzhou at 9:25am
2:30pm - Meet our daughter at the Civil Affairs Office
Tuesday 7-2: Complete adoption paperwork, visit orphanage
Wednesday 7-3: Local tour of Zhengzhou
Thursday 7-4: Travel to Chongqing to meet friends from China
Friday 7-5: Fly to Guangzhou
Saturday 7-6: Maeli's medical exam, visa photo, and visa paperwork
Sunday 7-7: City tour, go to church on the Island
Monday 7-8: TB test results
Tuesday 7-9: Consulate Appointment at 10am (Maeli is officially ours!)
Wednesday 7-10: Visa pick-up
Thursday 7-11: Take the train to Hong Kong
Friday 7-12: Disneyland Hong Kong
Saturday 7-13: Fly home from Hong Kong (12:45am)
Arrive in Atlanta at 11:30, Flight to Nashville at 3:05pm
Arrive in Nashville at 3:18pm
Homecoming at the airport

As you can see our schedule is quite busy! The first week is dedicated to finalizing Maeli's adoption for China. The second week is when the US recognizes her adoption during the consulate appointment. We will take an oath at the Consulate in GZ. Maeli will become a US citizen when she lands on US soil in Atlanta!

We invite anyone who would like to celebrate her homecoming with us to join us at the baggage claim area at the Nashville airport Saturday, July 13th at 3:00.

We are blessed to be leaving tomorrow to bring our daughter home. Please pray for safe travels and for Maeli's heart as she adjusts to her new family. Although she seems excited and ready, we also understand that she is leaving everything familiar and all she's known to come to a new and unfamiliar place. Leaving her country and her roots has to be difficult. We also ask for prayers for Emma, who will be well cared for by family but still away from us for two weeks while we travel. We appreciate the love and support. There are no words to describe how thankful we are for the endless love and prayer. Love truly does make a family grow! Maeli Claire is loved, chosen, and spoken for not only by her forever mom and dad but by the Heavenly Father!



- Jessica